Permits and Plan Check
It’s important to understand the importance of permits. While this may seem common sense to many, it is not uncommon for an owner builder to experience significant delays for lack a plan approval form their county. Delays cost the owner builder valuable time and money. It’s important to understand the importance of permits. While this may seem common sense to many, it is not uncommon for an owner builder to experience significant delays for lack a plan approval form their county. Delays cost the owner builder valuable time and money. Research your local permitting process early. Lenders will not release hard costs until proof of permits have been received. Do the right thing and get your plans approved before closing on your construction loan. Never begin building without permits.
What is Plan Check?
Plan check is the process of having engineered blueprints approved by the local building authority. Plan Check is performed to make sure your new home meets all building codes in the county. Most counties can turn around Plan Check request within a few weeks while some counties with high growth and stringent planning and zoning requirements can take longer.
Once your plans have been reviewed you will received a county approval stamp or official correspondence stating the approval. At this point you are issued a building permit number and you may pay for your permits or wait for loan funding.
What is a Site Plan
A site plan is simply a footprint review of your home. A footprint is how your home sits within your property boundaries. Some counties have set back rules which state how your home can be placed on your lot in reference to right-of-ways and streets. Not all counties require Site Plans.
Fees
Permit fees will vary from county to county. In some areas of the country permit costs can be expensive running into the tens of thousands of dollars. Impact fees and school taxes are typically included into your permit and due prior to building. Permitting fees should not be overlooked as they can make up a substantial portion of your total construction budget. Find out your costs early.
What happens if I start building before permits?
Countless of unfortunate souls have found out the hard way that permits are a must. It is very common for building authorities to have structures torn down and started over for lack of permits. Their justification is that there have been no inspections to the property so there is no way to determine if the home has been built to code throughout the process. Building authorities have teams of lawyers and don’t have a problem with making the renegade owner builder an example to the entire community.
